In response to the armed display in Akkar during the Islamic group's funeral for its members, and the intense gunfire from medium and heavy weapons in the areas of Miniyeh, Abdah, and Mahrouqa extending to Binnin Akkar on Sunday, which resulted in injuries, the "Renewal" bloc emphasized its rejection of the "scene of armed demonstrations and loose weaponry. The state, with its legitimate powers, is the sole responsible entity for defending Lebanon and maintaining stability, while illegal weapons are a constant recipe for chaos leading to the destabilization of civil peace."
The bloc added: "As we confront the model represented by the weapons project linked to the regional agenda at Lebanon's expense, we will stand against anything that violates stability and undermines the image of the state and its institutions. We hope that all rational and sincere individuals will apply reason and refrain from jeopardizing stability, and we call on the military and security forces to uphold their responsibilities by preventing the recurrence of these appearances through the enforcement of applicable laws."
Additionally, a statement was issued by former minister Ashraf Rifi, former MP Dr. Mustafa Alloush, head of the Assembly of Sons of Tripoli and the North Abdel Hamid Ajjam, and the director of the Lebanese Center for Research and Consulting Hassan Qutb, stating: "Lebanese people do not dispute the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause, nor that the Israeli enemy is carrying out a systematic campaign of genocide against the people of Gaza. However, for Lebanon to become an open and free space prone to the destructive prospects of war as is happening in the south, or for weapons to be unrestricted and disregarding the state's authority as occurred in Akkar is problematic; the road to Jerusalem does not pass through Binnin. This requires us to stand united against it to prevent slipping into undesirable destruction and chaos for national security, the loose weaponry in the streets, towns, and villages, and possibly to internal strife, which we reject returning to, regardless of the titles, justifications, or occasions.
From here, we affirm the following:
- We reject Hezbollah's monopoly on the decision of war in the country, and condemn the actions of any other Lebanese party that may cover the party's involvement in a war that only brings harm and risks to Lebanon and the Lebanese, as is happening in the south and Bekaa.
- We reject the show of force that accompanied the Islamic group's funeral for two of its leaders, as this endangers national security and diminishes the security forces' ability to protect civil peace, in addition to causing direct harm to citizens through gunfire and projectiles in the air, leading to losses in lives and property.
- We call on the government and its president, Najib Mikati, and security leaders to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of armed displays, regardless of the circumstances and occasions."
The statement called on "all political and social activities, foremost among them the representatives, to raise their voices against chaos, disorder, and armed appearances. We also urge them to provide the necessary political cover that enhances the role of the army and other security forces, emphasizing that weapons should exclusively be in the hands of legitimate Lebanese authority."
